Robbery is believed to be the motive for the murder of a 76-year-old man of Caroni Savannah Road in Chaguanas who was standing outside a Play Whe and Lotto booth at Jai’s Bar, Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas on Monday.
According to police around 6.55 pm Mervyn Prescott, a retired fire officer last assigned to the Wrightson Road Fire Station, was accosted by a man and a struggle ensued.
During the struggle, a gunshot was heard and Prescott collapsed. The gunman then escaped in Prescott’s vehicle, a black Honda Vezel, registration number PDZ 2974. The vehicle was later found abandoned a short distance away.
Investigators were told that the gunman was seen standing near the bar seconds before the shooting.
Police officers who responded rushed Prescott to the Chaguanas Health Facility.
However, around 7.30 pm he was pronounced dead.
On Tuesday, it was business as usual at the bar.
A worker at the bar, who wished not to be named said he remains shocked over Prescott’s murder.
“He was a regular. He always used to come to see what marks play for the day. He was always very pleasant and kind. We don’t know why he was killed but more stringent measures are needed to deal with these criminals on the outside. They need to be hunted down by police and constantly monitored,” the bar worker said.
Prescott’s next-door neighbour said the entire community is in shock.
“He was a real nice and quiet man who never meddle with anyone. Daily he would be seen in his garden tending to his plants. We are in shock because everyone looked out for him. It’s very sad and frightening to hear what happened,” the neighbour said.
Also speaking to Guardian Media was Prescott’s son, who did not want to be named or photographed. He said he was angry.
“I’m upset he’s not coming home to his house that he worked hard to build. Everything is waiting here for him and he’s not coming home and I’m just upset.”
He added, “My father was a very humble man, always in the plants. That’s why I’m doing this job now as in watering his plants. This is what he lived for. He was very family-oriented. He was married for 35 years married to my mom.”
Prescott’s son said that his father was a regular at Jai’s bar, where he would go to “play a mark” and even have a beer.
The grieving son believes his father would have been monitored by his assailant, especially since his vehicle was recently purchased.
The distraught man said he would remember his father for his forgiving and loving nature.
“I can fall out with him today and tomorrow it’s not a problem. You can disagree with him now and in the morning all is well. He’s dedicated and no one has problem with him.”
Prescott is the third pensioner to be killed in as many days.